Sunken Russian warship hit by two Ukrainian missiles: US official

The United States believes that the sunken Russian warship Moskva was hit by two Ukrainian missiles, a senior US official has been quoted as saying.

The Russian missile cruiser Moskva seen at sea on February 18, 2022.

Photo: EPA/RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the missile cruiser, flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, was struck by Neptune anti-ship missiles, the Reuters news agency reported.

The Russian defence ministry has said the ship sunk in stormy seas after a fire and explosions involving ammunition stowed onboard, according to Reuters.

#RussiaUkraineWar Russia confirms its Black Sea Fleet flagship has sunk https://t.co/2jwtyyxdlG

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) April 15, 2022

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it launched a missile strike on the Moskva from the coast.

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, announced on Friday that "the commander of the cruiser Moskva, Anton Kuprin, died during the explosion and fire on board," Poland's PAP news agency reported.

The commander of cruiser "Moskva", Anton Kuprin, died during explosion and fire on board. This was reported by the adviser to Minister of Internal Affairs of #Ukraine Anton Gerashchenko.

Captain Anton Kuprin gave the order to bombard #Snake Island on the first day of the war. pic.twitter.com/Fu9nJGvL08

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 15, 2022

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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters